The Camp

by Greg Hair

Karl Engel is a rising star among Nazi guards at a concentration camp. Making a name for himself through his brutality and impassioned hatred of all things Jewish, the arrival of new prisoners forces him to begin to question everything he’s ever known. In a place known for despair, death, and hate, is it possible to find hope, life, and love? In Poland, 1943, the most profound discovery that Karl will make in The Camp—is himself.

Genres: World War II, Historical Fiction, Holocaust, Fiction, Horror, Poland, Germany

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Stephanie Hair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am Greg's wife, and I have just read The Camp for the first time. I was so excited to read this book. I wanted to wait until it was all done to do it. I was there when the story came to life and watched it every step of the way. When I finally got the opportunity to read it, I was blown away. It had all come together so well. I felt, and saw, the whole story. It flowed so well. I forgot that my husband was the author and I knew the ending. I felt every emotion the character did and developed a close relationship with them. I will admit that some of the things are hard to read, but I think it is important for this history to be remembered. I know that Greg spent hours upon hours doing research and often times it would upset him. But he stuck it out and did what he had to do. I thank him so much for finishing this beautiful story full of sadness, courage, faith, humanity, and love. I hope that people will not hide from this difficult subject, and give it a chance. Greg HairThe Camp

[Kim Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Anyone interested in world war two will like it. An interesting take on an old story. I can't wait for a sequel or more books by Greg hair. This is the fifth novel of Hair's I have read and I think it's the best yet

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique twist to a WWll plot. Many reviews state that the plot is unrealistic, I guess that's why it's called Historical "Fiction". Personally, I feel mankind wants, deep down, to believe there is good at the heart of most people.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT book. It is a must read.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible and moving story it's a must read! Another great book from Greg.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I`m speechless ! This book took my breath away.If you like a World War II books then you'll love this book.The story is mostly inside the concentration camp ...and it can be brutal reading some of the parts. Reading this book you think you are next to Karl,you feel his pain you just forget about the outside world and you will not hear the phone ringing ....you are in the book ! Amazing !Have a box of tissues next to you especially at the end of it ..you will need it! I do hope there will be a second part to follow. MR.Greg Hair you wrote an awesome book !

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was obviously well researched and was quite moving at times. Yet I found that there was just something that I could not quite find believable about the book.


I found the idea of twins being separated at birth and reunited inside a camp (one as a Nazi soldier and the other Jew) just a little bit fantastical. Especially the transformation of the soldier into a sympathetic character, who finds himself in love with a Jewish woman just a bit far fetched considering the time frame the book takes place in.

I can only hope the sequel will shed more light on how the concentration camp escapees manage to make their way out of the camp and Europe. Exodus


Overall though this was an interesting book, though it could have done with proofreading as the typos got a bit distracting.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many might think that this is just another book turning over old ground about the Holocaust. I was impressed with the amount of research which has obviously gone into this work. It deals with aspects from both sides of the wire, chillingly brutal in places, but also with signs of humanity in other unexpected places. The characters had that air of believability woven round them, which helps to keep the reader engaged in what some might still feel is an unpalatable subject.
There are a few reasons for me not giving this books full marks. The typo's were intrusive, some of the dialogue didn't read naturally (also several times the Karl's and Klaus' dialogues were attributed to the wrong person). The end when it came was predictable, yet didn't feel complete, perhaps there is a sequel somewhere out there.

[Ruquayya Sajjida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. I would like to congratulate John Hair in his book which could someday, with a few years, become a masterpiece. This book was masterfully woven from simple words to put together a beautiful story that anyone would be proud to read. It made me, as a reader, question the complexity of man and the extent to which the human heart can forgive when faced with tremendous circumstances. The words are simple enough for anyone to read but the story is deep enough for anyone to find pleasure in. I recommend this to anyone searching for themselves, a good story, historical fiction or an intellectual novel hidden underneath a simply complex story. Well dne, Mr. Hair
-Sincerely, a fan and hopeful author

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read many many books about the Holocaust. Some are great, some are not. This one fell in between. The story itself was an interesting one, even if it was a bit far fetched. The atrocities were handled well. The characters were, for the most part, believable. I think for me the problem lay in the dialogue and some of the actions of the main characters. The camp name is never given, but based on how other camps were run, the protagonist would not have been able to visit specific Jewish people over and over again without someone noticing. And doing something about it. Something not good. The dialogue in the present day scenes was stilted and a bit over the top. But still an interesting read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book, heartily. The story is about a Nazi guard who gets his Jewish brother, sister, and sweetheart out of a German concentration camp. The brothers were identical twins, so let your imagination lead you as to how this was accomplished.. One brother was brought up German, the other a Jew. It is difficult to understand how the German Nazi twin crossed over to the allied side after being so immersed in Nazism since childhood. The author's mechanics of good writing were excellent. He got the 'between you and me' right!

Thank you, Mr. Hair, for a good read. Thank you, Mrs. Hair, for an excellent review.

[Alan Sneddon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this a mixed bag of a book. Quite chilling at times and a feeling that the author has researched the horrors of the concentration camp in some depth. But I found the dialogue frequently unconvincing and I also didn’t like the framing device.

I did read it through to the end though and I wanted to find out what happened to the main characters. But I was left with the feeling that there was a better book that could have been written using the narrative.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not finish this book so really I should not give it a review. I can say it kept me reading, pulling me in. The premise is quite profound really. I got to the twist. But the dialogue just seemed unrealistic: why would a Nazi soldier go talk to a woman who requested it? I don't see that actually happening.
I may return to it later but it just seemed off to me, especially in the dialogue area.

[Azuree Ramoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I've read suggested books about the Holocaust before but they were short reads. This one moved me to tears. I'll never know the sacrifice the men and women who survived, took, but I hope that the generations after appreciate the sacrifices and strive to make sure nothing happens like this again.

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, easy read. The typos were a bit distracting. The story was a bit predictable but nonetheless riveting.

[Eman Zahran]

i like this book :)

[A W · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can see why this book got so many good reviews, i just thought that it could have been better and also that the ending was too obvious too early